On placement in a stroke rehabilitation ward I worked with a lovely gentleman who had a CVA, but was recovering very quickly. This patient impressed staff with his quick recovery and improvement in function, however this patient did not seem happy with his progress. In one treatment session the patient began to get upset as he began to explain how he received some burn scars on his arms and trunk. The patient had been a solider in war where he sustained the burns. This prompted him to recount his experiences during this terrible time in his life. I began to realise this stroke and rehabilitation had resurfaced memories of this extremely traumatic period in his life. The patient stated the rehab he was receiving and his time in hospital was reminding him of the treatment for his burns. As the patient began to cry, I to felt I wanted to cry with him. However I knew I needed to remain calm and empathetic. Since the patient was obviously traumatised, I sat with him for a while and listened to his stories, however after a time I encouraged him to continue with his rehab session.
I feel it was important for the patient to feel his concerns were being heard without having to worry his family, but at the same time I knew the patient was starting to get into a negative frame of thinking and needed to be distracted. I believed focusing on his exercises would help him to break that feeling of sadness and that he needed to be reminded that he was going to fully recover and be leaving the hospital soon.
This experience reminded me that patients often have many issues and concerns, not just their physical limitations which I may be focusing on. It’s important these problems are acknowledged to gain the trust of the patient.
IN THE FUTURE I WILL BE MINDFUL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES THAT A PATIENT MAY FACE, HOWEVER I WILL ALSO TRY AND REMIND THESE PATIENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF REHABILITATION. IN THE FUTURE, IF I AM CONFRONTED WITH PATIENTS WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS I WILL RECOMMEND THEY TALK TO A COUNSELLOR.
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1 comment:
It's so difficult to know what to say in those situations.
Empathy + distraction sounds like a good way of dealing with the situation. It will be good once we're working somewhere more permanently and its second nature to know where people can be referred.
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